Our Preview Look at Version 2 of the New Balance Fresh Foam Gobi

Is the New Balance Fresh Foam Gobi V2 a hybrid performance running shoe that can take you from city streets to country trails in comfort?

See the verdict below.

First impression

First impressions are not always correct. This is something I relearned while interacting with a sample pair of the forthcoming Fresh Foam Gobi V2 hybrid running shoes provided by New Balance.

My first impression, as I walked on sidewalks to a trail area was that the Gobi V2 was extremely firm. Based on the words “Fresh Foam,” I expected something softer.

I also felt that what New Balance refers to as a “snug” fit in the no-sew bootie construction upper was in fact tight. While eight of my toes had room to splay up front, my big toes were unhappy with the lack of headroom.

Performance

I had seen references to the original Gobi as being a fast shoe. The Gobi V2 did not seem to be offering promises of speed.

Drop

My view of the Gobi V2 quickly changed once I began running in the shoe. It’s a relatively light performance trail shoe at approximately 8.7 ounces, with a low heel drop of 6mm.

This is a compromise between a 4mm and an 8mm drop and it should work just fine for the majority of runners. (Some shoes feel higher or lower than their advertised heel drop. The Gobi V2 feels like a 6mm heel drop model.)

Cushioning

On a dirt and gravel covered trail, the Gobi v2 provided a B+ ride. While it’s labeled as a neutral shoe, the Gobi V2 is quite stable. And the cushioning felt just fine!

With a hybrid shoe one wants to use and test it on multiple surfaces, so asphalt was the next surface for the Gobi V2’s soles to pound on. The ride was not only just fine, it was an A level ride.

In fact, the ride on asphalt is so supremely, smoothly cushioned that it reminded me of runs in New Balance 860 series shoes.

The current New Balance 860 v7 is a bigger, heavier and more expensive shoe so I was quite impressed that the smaller, lighter Gobi V2 provides nearly equivalent comfort on mean urban streets.

Grip

Some trail shoes feel heavy and clumsy on hard-packed dirt trails and on fire trails. But the Gobi V2 felt quite light and nimble. On a hard rock trail loaded with some small and large stones the Gobi V2 provided good ground feel and grip.

Although one feels the impact of landing on some larger rocks, there’s not a hint of punishment. This is quite impressive as the Gobi V2, like the original Gobi, does not contain a rock plate.

It’s been my experience, with sometimes sensitive metatarsals, that New Balance shoes generally provide excellent protection for these knuckle-like bones.

The Gobi V2 is no exception. My metatarsals never felt sore or beat up after a run in the shoe.

It was a treat to run on a freshly mown field – thank you, fire department, in the Gobi V2. The unique surface of the shoe’s studded sole allows one’s feet to remain level even as the surface literally changes with each step.

Heel Counter

On city sidewalks the Gobi V2 provides a fine level of comfort. The shoe sticks like glue in the rear due to the model’s stiff heel counter.

This is one of the factors that builds confidence in the shoe. And as one feels more confident in the Gobi V2, one begins to realize that it is in fact a speedy conveyor of human beings.

Comfort

Mileage is a positive factor when it comes to the Gobi V2. With each passing mile the shoe feels increasingly comfortable.

It’s as if the runner’s feet begin to sink into the traditional sock liner, and the Fresh Foam midsole grows in responsiveness, smoothness and protectiveness.

In addition, the upper that once felt either snug or tight loosens up and becomes as comfortable as… well, an old shoe.

As for my toes, all ten of them felt just fine in the end.

Verdict

The New Balance Fresh Foam Gobi V2 meets its stated goal of providing “a snappy feel over a variety of terrain.” It’s a running shoe that provides a high level of versatility – a chameleon that adapts to its environment.

And it appears to be highly durable, especially considering the $95 price tag. This hybrid shoe is a bargain that will meet the needs of city runners and country runners.

Highly recommended.

Joseph Arellano • Level 4 expert

Joseph Arellano has run in running shoes produced by around 20 different manufacturers. When he finds a "perfect" running shoe, he picks up about six pairs. He believes that most problems can be solved though the purchase of a new pair of running shoes.